UNC to report violation

The University of Northern Colorado athletic department has admitted it was in violation of NCAA rules when it conducted at least one unauthorized football practice in the Campus Recreation Center before spring drills officially started.

Athletic department officials are expected to self-report the violation, which includes self-imposed penalties, to the NCAA between today and Monday, and then wait for the NCAA’s response.

The NCAA has a history of accepting a school’s report, if indeed it is just a secondary violation, and it agrees with a school’s self-imposed penalties.

UNC athletic department spokesman Kyle Schwartz said the self-imposed penalties have yet to be determined, but will be included in the report.

The practice, or practices, in question were conducted before March 25, when spring drills were officially scheduled to begin.

Former UNC wide receiver Cory Sleeth, who was dismissed from the team for disciplinary reasons before spring practice, said part of winter conditioning included start-and-stance drills, alignments, formations and the actual running of plays.

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If true, those drills are in violation of an NCAA rule that states workouts after the team’s final game and before the start of summer conditioning are limited to required weight training, conditioning and the review of game film. Those activities cannot exceed eight hours per week, including a maximum of two hours of viewing game film.

Sleeth said all of the coaches were present during six practices over a three-week period in the Campus Recreation Center where the offense and defense were divided into separate gyms after conditioning. But first-year head coach Scott Downing said on Thursday night he “had no idea” the practices took place, but added, “it was one practice during winter conditioning.”

Sleeth also said the practices were mandatory. Because of that he said none of the players had the guts “to not show up. I am sure you would have to run extra if you missed. … we were just trying to impress the coaches.”

The situation is directly related to the departure of UNC defensive line coach Craig Robinson, who said he was asked to resign but refused.

As far as Downing is concerned, Robinson has resigned his position.

Robinson’s situation is being handled by the school’s human relations department.

On Thursday night, Downing explained that he “had no idea” at the time about the team’s supposed unauthorized practice during winter workouts that led to Robinson’s departure.

Robinson, who was also in charge of the team’s practice videos, has explained that Downing asked him to leave, and delivered his office belongings to his home.

“He (Robinson) walked into my office on Tuesday morning, and said he was resigning,” Downing said. “He said he’d be back to get his stuff later that night.

“I asked him ‘Are you resigning,'” and he said, ‘yes, I am.'”

Asked if Robinson gave him a reason for resigning, Downing recalled that it was for personal reasons.

UNC athletic director Jay Hinrichs opted not to respond on Thursday morning, but did indicate he would eventually have something to say when the situation is resolved.

Athletic department officials have also indicated that discussions about how to handle the situation have taken place for at least a month.

Downing remained adamant that there was only one practice session in question.

“It was one practice during winter conditioning, and I had no idea about it,” he said. “I’ve told the coaches and the players that we practice and we play within the rules designated by the NCAA and our institution. If we see something that’s in violation, we will address it.”

Robinson said that when he approached defensive coordinator Cody Deti about his uneasiness with the situation, he was told to “keep my mouth shut, or I’d be fired.”

Deti declined to comment after practice Thursday afternoon.

The UNC players were informed Wednesday afternoon that Robinson had left for personal reasons.

“In my opinion, he has resigned,” Downing said. “When he left my office, I wished him well, and I shook his hand.”